Active vs Passive Range of Motion. What does that mean? People with shoulder problems often have a decrease in their ACTIVE range of motion but when someone else moves their arm for them, they find that they have more range. This means that the muscles that move the shoulder are injured or too weak to do what they are supposed to. In order to help them start to activate, you can practice today's exercise. This information comes from the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative in partnership with the Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation.
BROOMSTICK MOBILITY DRILLS
Instructions:
1. Using a broomstick, cane or hockey stick. Hold the stick with both hands, the unaffected one at the bottom and the hand of the affected shoulder at the top. Make sure that the thumb of the affected shoulder points up.
2. Slowly use the bottom hand to start moving the stick up toward the ceiling.
3. The affected arm should remain relaxed.
4. Do this forward, to the side and at 45 degrees.
5. Repeat this 10 times in each direction 2-3x/day
6. This should not hurt, so stop at the point where you start to feel pain.